Description: A woody perennial creeper (vine) that climbs with the aid of coiled tendrils. It has hairless, lobed leaves, large stipules and solitary, very characteristic, open, white and violet flowers, with conspicuous flower parts that have given rise to the vernacular name "passion flower". The origin is said to be a "Calvary Lesson" by Catholic missionaries in South America. The numerous petaloid corona threads are seen as a symbol for the Crown of Thorns, the five stamens for the Wounds, the three stigmas for the Nails on the Cross and the five sepals and five petals as the ten apostles (excluding Judas and Peter). The fruit is a characteristic many-seeded berry with delicious, juicy fruit pulp.

Origin: Eastern and southern parts of North America. It is cultivated to a limited extent.

Uses and Properties: The main use of passion flower herb is as a mild sedative to help support nervousness, restlessness, sleeplessness and nervous gastrointestinal disorders, especially in children.

Preparation and Dosage: A tea can be made with 2 g of finely chopped herb. Two or three cups are taken throughout the day, or one or two cups at bedtime (maximum daily dose is 4 - 8 g of herb). Extracts are used in a large number of sedative preparations and combinations; also in some cardiotonics.

Health Effects: Passion flower has sedative, hypnotic and anti-spasmodic activity, as shown in animal studies. It is not yet clear which compounds are responsible; beta-carboline alkaloids inhibit MAO and bind to serotonin receptors; they would be good candidates for a sedative but their presence has been disputed. Maltol and ethylmaltol have CNS sedating and anticonvulsant effects.

Status: Traditional health; Pharm.; Comm. E+; ESCOP 4.

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Directions

Take 20-30 drops of extract in a small amount of warm water 3-4 times daily as needed.

Cautions

Not to be used during pregnancy and lactation. Do not exceed recommended dose.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.Information provided at ZooScape.com relies partly on Traditional Uses. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."